Shabazz's passing display today!!!

[UconnU]

I've never seen anyone at the college level with this type of court vision or ball placement on the pass. His passing display today was ridiculous... highest level possible.

 

[Tenspro2002]

It is really impressive, but he's gotta bring that level of focus and intensity for 40 minutes. The rest of the team feeds off of him, and when he's going through the motions, we get play like most of what we've seen for the first third of the season.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

and when he's going through the motions, we get play like most of what we've seen for the first third of the season.

You mean 11 wins and 1 loss? Your posts are really something. I think maybe you're spoiled by the women.

 

[zls44]

Marcus Williams.

 

[Tenspro2002]

You mean 11 wins and 1 loss? Your posts are really something. I think maybe you're spoiled by the women.

You can't honestly appraise our quality of play these first 7 weeks and tell me they're on par with our championship contenders of yore. At this point these guys look about equivalent to some of those in-between teams that hung around the top 25, maybe clawed their way to a Sweet 16, but were never considered legitimate contenders (2000, 2003, 2008). There's still a ways to go, but we've played 11 games and haven't shown significant improvement in half-court execution, rebounding, and focus. I hope it comes, but I just don't see it yet.

Remember, this year is supposed to be the peak with this cycle of players, the season that announces UConn is still a national power and worthy of entry into a major conference. Next year will be a step backwards, after losing Bazz, Giff, and maybe Daniels. We can't afford a so-so season this year and a rebuilding year next year.

 

[CTPride]

You can't honestly appraise our quality of play these first 7 weeks and tell me they're on par with our championship contenders of yore. At this point these guys look about equivalent to some of those in-between teams that hung around the top 25, maybe clawed their way to a Sweet 16, but were never considered legitimate contenders (2000, 2003, 2008). There's still a ways to go, but we've played 11 games and haven't shown significant improvement in half-court execution, rebounding, and focus. I hope it comes, but I just don't see it yet.

Remember, this year is supposed to be the peak with this cycle of players, the season that announces UConn is still a national power and worthy of entry into a major conference. Next year will be a step backwards, after losing Bazz, Giff, and maybe Daniels. We can't afford a so-so season this year and a rebuilding year next year.

Did you watch the 2011 season?

 

[Jaker]

TB

 

[aceboon]

You can't honestly appraise our quality of play these first 7 weeks and tell me they're on par with our championship contenders of yore. At this point these guys look about equivalent to some of those in-between teams that hung around the top 25, maybe clawed their way to a Sweet 16, but were never considered legitimate contenders (2000, 2003, 2008). There's still a ways to go, but we've played 11 games and haven't shown significant improvement in half-court execution, rebounding, and focus. I hope it comes, but I just don't see it yet.

Remember, this year is supposed to be the peak with this cycle of players, the season that announces UConn is still a national power and worthy of entry into a major conference. Next year will be a step backwards, after losing Bazz, Giff, and maybe Daniels. We can't afford a so-so season this year and a rebuilding year next year.

UConn's worthiness of being in a major conference is dependent on this season? lol...

 

[Kitaman]

There can be a list of 2o+ players who pass equally or pass better. What you see is a college AA player throwing NBA passes to teammates unprepared or unable to handle them. He's just that much better than his teammates when it comes to his passes and the catch.

 

[sdhusky]

UConn's worthiness of being in a major conference is dependent on this season? lol...

everyone knows bb (and especially wbb) drives re-alignment

 

[ctchamps]

You can't honestly appraise our quality of play these first 7 weeks and tell me they're on par with our championship contenders of yore. At this point these guys look about equivalent to some of those in-between teams that hung around the top 25, maybe clawed their way to a Sweet 16, but were never considered legitimate contenders (2000, 2003, 2008). There's still a ways to go, but we've played 11 games and haven't shown significant improvement in half-court execution, rebounding, and focus. I hope it comes, but I just don't see it yet.

Remember, this year is supposed to be the peak with this cycle of players, the season that announces UConn is still a national power and worthy of entry into a major conference. Next year will be a step backwards, after losing Bazz, Giff, and maybe Daniels. We can't afford a so-so season this year and a rebuilding year next year.

IMO this team is at the level I expected. A great perimeter team, with a limited front court. Everything is contingent on a post player developing. TO is limited, Brimah is too raw. So it's up to Nolan and he's still a babe in the woods. He only started getting meaningful minutes the last six game of last season. So I expected an up and down season from him early this season.

Bazz's entire demeanor changed when Nolan started to carve out space for himself and proved to be a reliable offensive threat. The entire team changes when some one can make defenses play honestly in the interior.

 

[James]

Napier played terrific , him and Giffey have a great bond. You can its a different level of trust, daniels needs to get on that page. However he is no marcus Williams as far as passing . in like 1.5 seasons mwill racked up insane assist numbers.

 

[aceboon]

love Bazz but MWill stands alone as far as UConn passers, he had an amazing gift, Josh Boone in particular owes him money

 

[August_West]

I would say Marcus Williams was the best, but people forget how good Doron Scheffer was. Williams was the more creative of the two and like a surgeon in the lane, but nobody pushed the ball ahead better than Scheffer. His passes to ignite running were things of beauty.

 

[Kitaman]

Not sure if its fair to compare the two. Marcus had 'NBA' bigs, and teammates with good or great hands. Put Bazz on that 2005 team and he would look like Magic Johnson.

 

[intlzncster]

You can't honestly appraise our quality of play these first 7 weeks and tell me they're on par with our championship contenders of yore. At this point these guys look about equivalent to some of those in-between teams that hung around the top 25, maybe clawed their way to a Sweet 16, but were never considered legitimate contenders (2000, 2003, 2008). There's still a ways to go, but we've played 11 games and haven't shown significant improvement in half-court execution, rebounding, and focus. I hope it comes, but I just don't see it yet.

Remember, this year is supposed to be the peak with this cycle of players, the season that announces UConn is still a national power and worthy of entry into a major conference. Next year will be a step backwards, after losing Bazz, Giff, and maybe Daniels. We can't afford a so-so season this year and a rebuilding year next year.

I think the problem lies in expectations. This team was never going to be on par with our championship squads. They are not a favorite to win a NC, the foremost reason being lack of any developed post players.

Could they win an NC? Sure, anything is possible come tournament time. But it's a bit much to expect a Final Four run. I certainly hope for one though.

 

[mauconnfan]

Not sure if its fair to compare the two. Marcus had 'NBA' bigs, and teammates with good or great hands. Put Bazz on that 2005 team and he would look like Magic Johnson.

Bazz is a real nice passer while Marcus was special as far as vision…….doesn't matter who was on the other end Williams had the gift!

 

[gtcam]

You can't honestly appraise our quality of play these first 7 weeks and tell me they're on par with our championship contenders of yore. At this point these guys look about equivalent to some of those in-between teams that hung around the top 25, maybe clawed their way to a Sweet 16, but were never considered legitimate contenders (2000, 2003, 2008). There's still a ways to go, but we've played 11 games and haven't shown significant improvement in half-court execution, rebounding, and focus. I hope it comes, but I just don't see it yet.

Remember, this year is supposed to be the peak with this cycle of players, the season that announces UConn is still a national power and worthy of entry into a major conference. Next year will be a step backwards, after losing Bazz, Giff, and maybe Daniels. We can't afford a so-so season this year and a rebuilding year next year.

I don't look at next year as rebuilding- look at what is coming in and what will be left- maybe only bazz and giffs will be gone

 

[sledog]

Missed game. Is there a replay?????

 

[BoatShow]

People who think we'll be rebuilding next year really must have forgotten who have coming in.

 

[caw]

I would say Marcus Williams was the best, but people forget how good Doron Scheffer was. Williams was the more creative of the two and like a surgeon in the lane, but nobody pushed the ball ahead better than Scheffer. His passes to ignite running were things of beauty.

Dorons half court to three quarter court or further chest passes were always on point and got UConn scores of free points a game. Donny and Rudy and Ray streaking down the court after a make or miss with a Sheffer pass off the in-bounds/rebound was a thing of beauty.

 

[aceboon]

graphic from earlier in the season against IU. Granted, the reason why Marcus played so many fewer games in his 3 seasons was due to himself with him being declared academically ineligible and then laptopgate, but this is alot of assists to rack up in 2 abbreviated seasons and one full season. dude was special with the rock in his hands.

 

[huskyharry]

I think the problem lies in expectations. This team was never going to be on par with our championship squads. They are not a favorite to win a NC, the foremost reason being lack of any developed post players.

Could they win an NC? Sure, anything is possible come tournament time. But it's a bit much to expect a Final Four run. I certainly hope for one though.

Sweet sixteen would be a great result. If we stick near our current position and get a 4 seed, that would mean beating a 13 seed in the first (now called 2nd) round (not a gimme given resent years' results) and then likely beat the 5 seed in the next round but lose to the #1 seed in the sweet sixteen. That would be a great result IMHO.

Going further would be awesome but it would take special magic which we haven't seen of late. For about 13 minutes of the Maryland game, there was some magic (Boat and Bazz penetrating and then setting up Giff and others for well-timed, in-rhythm threes etc.), but lately the ball movement on offense has stalled and we just have not improved our level of play over the last several games. Much of the offense over the last few games (particularly Stanford 2nd half) has focused on one-on-one plays...not championship basketball.

 

[Scot-e]

You can't honestly appraise our quality of play these first 7 weeks and tell me they're on par with our championship contenders of yore. At this point these guys look about equivalent to some of those in-between teams that hung around the top 25, maybe clawed their way to a Sweet 16, but were never considered legitimate contenders (2000, 2003, 2008). There's still a ways to go, but we've played 11 games and haven't shown significant improvement in half-court execution, rebounding, and focus. I hope it comes, but I just don't see it yet.

Remember, this year is supposed to be the peak with this cycle of players, the season that announces UConn is still a national power and worthy of entry into a major conference. Next year will be a step backwards, after losing Bazz, Giff, and maybe Daniels. We can't afford a so-so season this year and a rebuilding year next year.

I don' t agree. This year could have been a disaster with JC leaving and a new coach. To put NC expectations on this team is way out of line. We could shock the world if everything falls into place but maintaining a high level of competition and getting high caliber kids to come to UCONN over the next few years is really the goal. We have to enjoy this year for what it is - an excellent continuation of our programs place in the basketball world. We have many holes we have not had in the past and if Bazz did not stay in school we would be a slightly above average team.

We are building toward a team 2-3 years from now that will be ranked in the top ten out of the gate. I want to see us hit on all cylinders and make a FF this year like everyone else on this board but I will be happy if we continue to compete on a high level and watch us develop a team that has all the pieces to win a NC under KO' s system in that timeframe.

We can make some noise this year but we are getting W's and players like Prince Ali ( who looks like a future top ten kid) are signing up- I am a very happy Husky fan.

 

[ASweet3781]

I've never seen anyone at the college level with this type of court vision or ball placement on the pass. His passing display today was ridiculous... highest level possible.

You need to watch more basketball.